Mass Effect: Evolution #1 Review

Learn the history behind the Illusive Man.

Hot on the heels of the release of Mass Effect 2 for the PS3, Dark Horse and EA have teamed up for yet another comic book set in the popular video game universe. This time the story focuses on the Illusive Man and takes place before he smoked 12 packs of cigarettes a day and had an apartment with a fantastic view. Although it hits many of the same beats as the first game, Evolution succeeds in setting up a fun story with a look and feel all its own.

Oh, and I'm happy to report that you do indeed find out just how he got those illustrious peepers.

The series starts during the First Contact War between humans and Turians, which occurred soon after humans discovered interstellar flight. Jack Harper, who would later become the Illusive Man, is leading a small band of guerrilla fighters as they search for the truth behind the Turian attack on a human colony. The journey takes him to a strange and familiar scene that any reader who has played the first Mass Effect game will instantly recognize. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this revelation, since it plays out almost exactly as it does in the game, only with different characters. It's too early to jump to conclusions regarding the outcome of these events, so I'll hold off on passing judgment; my initial reaction is one of apprehension.

As the solicit states, curious sci-fi fans that have had no prior experience with the Mass Effect fiction will have an easy time jumping in. John Jackson Miller and Mac Walters do an excellent job of only including information pertinent to the events taking place. That isn't too difficult a task to achieve considering the whole thing takes place decades before Commander Shepard is even born, but that's beside the point. The issue moves at a brisk pace, never lingering on scenes for too long but devoting enough time and dialogue to keep readers hooked and guessing as to what will happen next.

I could have done with a bit more excitement though, since Omar Francia delivers one hell of an action scene. The book is capped with gorgeous and energetic battles, but that doesn't mean the rest of the issue is a disappointment. Far from it. Even with all the talking heads, Francia finds ways to keep my eyes entertained. Whether it's by varying the angle of his shots or using unconventional page layouts, I enjoyed every single page of this book and look forward to seeing more from him as the series moves forward.

Mass Effect: Evolution #1 serves as a textbook example of a setup issue. It's easy for new readers to follow, and it reveals just enough to bring readers back next month. I would have preferred to learn more about the Illusive Man himself, but there will be plenty of time for that later as the story progresses. At this point, I'm interested enough to see how it all plays out.